The Botanical Society of America is thrilled to announce a new podcast series with interviews from a variety of botanical science researchers. The podcast will focus on research and topics found in the BSA’s publications—American Journal of Botany, Applications in Plant Sciences, and Plant Science Bulletin—along with other unique topics.
BONUS EPISODE: More Humans in the Loop! A Fascinating Discussion of Plant Domestication with Eric JB von Wettberg
In this second bonus episode of “A Botanical Podcast,” host Shiran Ben-Zeev and guest Eric von Wetttberg debate plant domestication as an abrupt event vs. as a continuum. (Spoiler alert: The host and guest agree on more than they disagree!) They discuss Eric’s wide-ranging research interests and special fondness for legumes. They discuss and offer numerous examples of wild relatives of domesticated plants, gene flow, archeological traditions around the world, the importance of collections, th...
1 Oct 2026
BONUS EPISODE: Humans in the (Plant Trait Selection) Loop! A Wide-Ranging Discussion with Irwin Goldman
For this lively bonus episode of “A Botanical Podcast,” host Shiran Ben-Zeev and guest Irwin Goldman share their enthusiasm for a subject of great mutual interest: plant breeding and domestication. In addition to discussing research, they introduce anecdotes, poetry, and the ideas expressed by economists, plant breeders, and even our human ancestors to the conversation. In determining what makes a vegetable palatable and delicious, humans often choose traits that are counter to what’s best fo...
30 Jul 2026
Plant People For the Win! A Conversation with Chris Martine
Join us "in the weeds" for this fascinating conversation with Chris Martine, a Professor at Bucknell (and incoming President of BSA), who has many interests and talents, as well as an infectious enthusiasm for plants and the people who study them. Chris and Shiran talk about numerous topics, including Chris's deep dive into Solanaceae, the Nightshade Family, and in particular the bush tomatoes that grow primarily in the Australian Monsoon Tropics. They talk about how cool herbaria are a...
30 Jul 2026
Growing Biodiverse Communities on Campus (Students Dig It, Literally!): A Conversation with Caprice Disbrow
Prepare to be inspired! Podcast host Shiran Ben-Zeev and Caprice Disbrow, a Biology and Botany Instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College, enthusiastically talk about the SRJC Campus Biodiversity Initiative, whose goals are to increase awareness of and deepen knowledge of the species found on campus, engage with campus biodiversity, and provide research and career development opportunities through independent and course-based learning, research, and stewardship. The Initiative is a collaboration...
30 Jul 2026
CAM! An Enlightening Discussion With Karolina Heyduk
Welcome to the first episode of the second season of "A Botanical Podcast"! Host Shiran Ben-Zeev talks with Dr. Karolina Heyduk, University of Connecticut, about why she and her colleagues and students sometimes have slumber parties with (very special) plants. She's interested in how plants adapt to stressful conditions, such as a lack of water and super-high temperatures. Karolina is very interested in the ecophysiology of plants, especially CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) photosynthesis,...
30 Jul 2026
Herbaria Meet Citizen Science (+”Weird Plant” Talk!): A Conversation with Adam Schneider
Herbaria are amazing libraries of plant biodiversity—they serve as time capsules of a particular time and place, but they are also so much more! Listen in on this conversation between our podcast host and Adam Schneider, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, as they discuss their love of plant collections and how herbaria and iNaturalist (a social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of bi...
2 Jun 2025
Timing! Shifting Climate Conditions and Plant Flowering: A Conversation with Jessica Savage
Dr. Jessica Savage discusses how flowering plants react to unpredictable temperature changes, like false springs and hard freezes, in an interview with Shiran Ben Zeev.
27 May 2025
Let's Look at Vegetative Phase Change: A Conversation with Erica Lawrence-Paul
Erica Lawrence-Paul explores vegetative phase change in plants with host Shiran Ben Zeev, revealing the subtle yet significant morphological and physiological differences between juvenile and adult growth phases in this interview.
19 May 2025
Plants Communicating Through Chemistry: A Conversation with Jordan Dowell
Jordan Dowell and host Shiran Ben Zeev explore plant defense mechanisms, chemical communication, and survival strategies in challenging environments during this interview.
12 May 2025
Paradigm Shifts in Flower Color: A Conversation with Andrea Berardi
Dr. Andrea E. Berardi explores the evolution and purpose of flower color changes in plants, including plant-pollinator interactions and environmental factors, in a discussion with Dr. Shiran Ben Zeev.
28 Apr 2025
"A Botanical Podcast" Introduction
Host Dr. Shiran Ben Zeev and Amy McPherson introduce "A Botanical Podcast," highlighting conversations with botanists about their research and passion for plants published in the Society's journals; this is an introductory episode.
Who has been a guest on A Botanical Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Jessica Savage
Erica Lawrence-Paul
Jordan Dowell
Dr Andrea E Berardi
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
68
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact A Botanical Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about A Botanical Podcast
Who hosts A Botanical Podcast?
Shiran Ben Zeev and Dr Shiran Ben Zeev host the show. Published by Botanical Society of America.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does A Botanical Podcast take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of A Botanical Podcast?
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